A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Adams since 1898
Babies named Adams per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1983, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Adams's real moment was 1898.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 7 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 42 |
| 1920s | 40 |
| 1930s | 39 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 18 |
| 1960s | 46 |
| 1970s | 161 |
| 1980s | 329 |
| 1990s | 134 |
| 2000s | 119 |
| 2010s | 137 |
| 2020s | 158 |
Meaning & origin
Adams is a surname-turned-first name that carries the weight of American history, particularly through the Adams political dynasty. First recorded as a given name in 1898, it ranked 3,450th in 2025, with a 1-in-51,760 birth rate. After a long decline, it has been rising again since 1997, reflecting a broader trend of reviving vintage surnames. Its peak year was 1898, the same year it first appeared in U.S. data. The name is most common in Florida. While never extremely popular, its revival suggests a niche appeal for parents seeking a distinguished, heritage-based name.
Adams is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Adam, itself from Hebrew adamah meaning 'earth' or 'ground.' As a given name, Adams has been used primarily in the United States, often as a family name passed down or as a nod to historical figures like the Adams political family. Its use as a first name emerged in the late 19th century and has seen sporadic revival in recent decades.
Where Adams is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Adams” around the world
Where Adams lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Addy, Ade
Variants: Adamson, MacAdam
Sibling names for Adams
Names that share Adams's style, for a brother or sister.
